Wave of attacks on Colombian oil pipelines

BOGOTA, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Colombia's oil pipelines are experiencing an increase in attacks by rebel guerrillas, although one of the country's energy chiefs said the problem is temporary.

Oil production facilities owned by Ecopetrol along with some 27,000 homes were without power after an attack with explosives in Putumayo province, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Armando Zamora, director of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, said the Transandino pipeline has been attacked a "few times" during the last month, most likely carried out by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

"They want to create pressure and show they are still alive," he told Bloomberg. "What else can they do but attack something essential?"

Although oil production has continued, oil transport has been sabotaged by the surge in attacks. In the case of the attacks on Transandino, companies stored crude or trucks were used for transport in place of the 190-mile pipeline.

Zamora noted that Colombia's steps to push back guerrilla troops and increase security have reduced sabotage on its pipelines since President Alvaro Uribe assumed office in 2002. Last year there were about 11 pipeline attacks. In the early 2000s, when attacks were rampant, a single pipeline experienced 171 attacks during a one-year period.

Attacks on oil companies and kidnappings of engineers have also declined in the last decade, Zamora said. "Now you can go to areas where you couldn't go before because of safety," he said.

Zamora pointed out that military forces are closing in on rebel leaders, so the recent wave of attacks is "temporary."

In addition, a plan allowing the U.S. military to use bases in Colombia may also help to increase overall pipeline security.

According to Zamora, improvements in Colombia's security situation are showing results in helping to attract foreign investors as the country auctions rights for oil exploration. He expects foreign investment in natural gas and oil will increase to a record $4 billion in 2010. This year, he said, such investments will decrease slightly from 2008's total of $3.6 billion.

Dana Coffield, chief executive officer of Calgary-based Gran Tierra Energy, told Bloomberg that Colombia's security is a less pressing concern than it was previously. Since "two or three years ago, the industry has really woken up to improvements," he said. "There has truly been a land rush."

Gran Tierra Energy holds interests in 16 blocks in Colombia. It is currently producing in the Santana, Guayuyaco, Chaza, Guarchiria and Magangue blocks. The Rio Magdalena, Talora, Mecaya, Azar, two TEA blocks, San Pablo, Guachiria Norte, Guachiria Sur, Garibay and Catguas are in the exploration phase.